Tissue-resident CD8 T cells in central nervous system inflammatory diseases: present at the crime scene and...guilty

Tissue-resident memory T cells (T-RM) represent a subset of antigen-experienced T cells that are constantly retained in a given tissue with limited trafficking through the circulation. These cells are characterized by expression of molecules enabling their tissue anchoring and downregulation of molecules promoting tissue egress. They reside at sites of previous antigen encounter and their number increases with age. T-RM have been shown to provide rapid and efficient protection against tissue reinfection and T-RM density correlates with efficient antitumor responses. Intriguingly, the density of CD8 T-RM is increased in the central nervous system (CNS) of patients with neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, or suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss current knowledge regarding the diversity of CNS-resident CD8 T cells and their role in CNS autoimmunity. Given their likely contribution to the protracted course of several inflammatory diseases of the CNS, their therapeutic targeting becomes an important challenge.

Automated summary

Tissue-resident memory T cells (T-RM) are a subset of T cells that are retained in tissues and play important roles in protection against reinfection and antitumor responses. The increased density of CD8 T-RM in the central nervous system (CNS) of patients with neuroinflammatory diseases suggests its potential contribution to the pathogenesis of these diseases.